Practical Challenges on Yokohama Mobility 'Project ZERO' - Towards next generation mobility for low-carbon future

摘要

Reduction of greenhouse gases or CO_2 is the global issue for sustainability. City of Yokohama, where 3.7 million people live, established the Yokohama Climate Change Action Policy "CO-DO30", aiming to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions by over 30% per person by 2025, and by over 60% by 2050. "CO-DO30" includes 7 areas of approaches, such as Living, Businesses, Buildings, Transportation, Energies, Urban and Green, and City Hall. To achieve this challenging target, practical and effective action on transportation area is definitely required, because it emits 20% of total greenhouse gas emission in the city. In 2008, City of Yokohama and Nissan jointly started YOKOHAMA Mobility "Project ZERO" (YMPZ), a 5-year project aimed at realizing "Eco-Model City, Yokohama". In 2009, YMPZ had the following scope: Promotion of eco-driving; Practical study of dynamic route navigation system to alleviate traffic congestion; Measures to promote mass acceptance of electric vehicles. Quantitative study on the positive impact of the YMPZ to the environment and public education campaign. In addition, the smart grid has been becoming big topic recently. Electric vehicle with big batteries has an opportunity to contribute as a social energy pack or distributed power sources as well as the value of mobility. This new opportunity requires to be integrated with urban planning, mobility planning and energy planning of national government and local government. This paper addresses both on-going practical challenges and opportunities for the future by collaborating among local government and industry.